February 27, 2009 Vol. 2 Issue 2

A new software-based simulation can serve as a learning tool for project management.

There may be no true substitute for on-the-job experience, but a software program called the Project Management Interactive Learning Sim can convey some of the lessons that experienced project managers learn the hard way. Jason Derleth of NASAs Office of Program Assessment and Evaluation presented an overview of the program at PM Challenge.

The simulation, designed by Ventana Systems, Inc. for NASA, offers three levels of difficulty. The user assumes the role of a project manager for a human-rated launch vehicle. With each passing minute, the user makes real-time decisions based on a continuously shifting balance between the amount of mfor NASA, offers three levels of difficulty. The user assumes the role of a project manager for a human-rated launch vehicle. With each passing minute, the user makes real-time decisions based on a continuously shifting balance between the amount of mass that the launch vehicle can lift and the probability that the project will fail. (For example, at a given point in time in the simulation, the crew vehicle may have a mass of 45,000 lbs. giving the simulated launch vehicle a probability of failure of 15 percent. A minute later, the simulated crew vehicle might have increased in mass to 50,000 lbs., increasing that probability of failure to an unacceptable 28 percent.) In response, the user can add staffing, spend reserves, mitigate risks, or initiate re-design work. Several data feeds are available to help the user better understand what is happening in the simulated design work, also at a cost to the user.

The simulation provides different lessons at each of the three levels. Users recognize that it is difficult to manage effectively without data, particularly progress metrics. At the first level, users learn that design work needs to be done correctly early in the project—it becomes increasingly difficult and costly to do redesign work in the later phases of a project. These lessons become more critical at level two of the simulation. At level three, users can learn to use the schedule as a management tool. Over-reliance on the “overtime” button results in fatigue, which leads to rework to correct errors.

The Academy of Program/Project & Engineering Leadership is currently exploring ways to use the simulation in its training curriculum in the near future.